Kara DioGuardi and Jewel to judge new Bravo singing competition

Bravo has announced the former American Idol judge will serve as the head judge of Going Platinum, a new reality competition for singer-songwriters.

DioGuardi will serve on the judging panel with recording artist and former Nashville Star host and judge Jewel, who will also host the series.

"Hit songs are the backbone of the music industry, and as a publisher, nothing excites me more than finding new songwriting talent," DioGuardi said. "I am happy to be a part of a show that helps up and coming songwriters pursue their dreams, while giving the public a look into the creative process."

"I am excited to be a part of this show because as a songwriter, I understand the dedication and struggle these musicians are going through," Jewel added. "This series will showcase the passion, talent and determination it requires to become a hit songwriter, and in the end we will find the next big music star."

Going Platinum -- which Bravo originally began developing as Hitmakers earlier this year -- will feature 12 musicians who will live together and compete in a series of songwriting challenges that will require them to write songs in genres ranging from dance tracks to love ballads.

The winner will receive a $100,000 cash prize, a publishing deal and a recording deal with RCA/Jive.

Similar to Top Chef and the network's other reality competitions, Going Platinum will be filmed in advance and eliminate contestants based on the decisions of the show's judging panel, not home viewer voting.

Going Platinum is currently in production in Los Angeles and scheduled to premiere in 2011, according to Bravo. It will be the network's first attempt at a music-themed reality competition series.

Prior to serving as a member of Idol's eighth and ninth season judging panel, DioGuardi also served as a judge for The One: Making a Music Star, a short-livedIdol-like singing competition which aired on ABC in Summer 2006.